Day 7. I appreciate the idea that stopping the numbing behaviors of P&M allows us to focus on the real issues and begin healing. However, saying you won't die from depression doesn't do much for me. I'm not afraid that I will "die" from it. Depression is a horrible, painful feeling of apathy and hopelessness. In a way, it is emotional death (at least in my experience). I can't feel real sadness, joy, hope, or longing. Just a dull, cold, and powerful pain. 

As I mentioned earlier, I love therapy, and I think that many people can gain from it. I got out of a deep hole with the help of an amazing therapist. However, it is so expensive, and my father isn't footing the bill at this point. So now what?

Maybe try the book Getting Out of Depression One Step at a Time. My therapist says that it is safe for anyone with depression. I used it a few times for depression and it worked well. It is based on the technique called Behavioral Activation. It is important not to give up on your responsibilities like work, davening, learning, etc. when using this book but other than that I haven't found any downsides or risks with the book. You don't need a therapist for this book. You could read about it over here but unlike what they write that it is done in therapy, it can be done through the book without a therapist. I did it without my therapist for clinical depression and it worked. I just saw in the article I linked that it isn't to be used with someone who is at risk of harming himself.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/behavioral-activation

In this link on the forum I described behavioral activation.

https://guardyoureyes.com/forum/19-Introduce-Yourself/399000-My-long-journey?limit=15&start=45#422020

You won't fully understand how or why it works until you experience it. When someone is depressed the depression makes them feel like there is no hope and they often believe that trying out something new will prove futile. For this reason you shouldn't rely on your judgement when reading everything I wrote about behavioral activation. Rather, buy the book and go through the chapters and do all the exercises faithfully. Leave your judgment about the book for after you have gone through most of the book slowly according to the instructions in the book. By then you probably shouldn't be depressed anymore.

I Fell on Friday, today is Day 4. 

hashemyeracheim613 wrote on 05 Mar 2025 03:02:

If your up to it you can post after a fall that you fell. No one here will judge.

Day 6. I think I can make it to Day 7. Depression isn't talking as loud right now. 

I think at 12 AM I will have completed day 9. 

I fell on Sunday, but it was a decent streak. I'm currently on Day 2. I will try to get to a month BL"N.

One day at a time works better than setting limits.